A defensive driving course in Sacramento teaches drivers how to avoid collisions and maintain control of their vehicle.

The one-day course organized by the Sacramento police and fire departments puts drivers behind the wheel on a closed course to practice accident avoidance.

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Program director Sgt. Keith Burgoon said the course teaches his students to be defensive drivers, who are able to recognize and avoid collisions.

In one drill, drivers accelerate the car to 40 mph.

As the car approaches the end of the track, one of four red lights turns green forcing the driver to swerve into that lane.

Sgt. Burgoon tells students to make the move without using the car's brakes.

"If you slam on the brakes, the vehicle can act violently and shift the weight into one direction and causes people to spin out," Burgoon said.

Another drill teaches students how to take advantage of the anti-lock brake system to bring the car to a stop while steering around an obstacle.

Drivers spend the most time on an area called the skid pan.

The smooth concrete flooded with water makes a slippery surface.

The car is outfitted with smooth tires in the rear, making it even more difficult to control.

"When your back end starts to slide, we will teach you how to counter steer into the slide so you are more comfortable. The more hours you put on the skid pan, you become more efficient when your car starts to slide," Burgoon said.

Burgoon said the course is for anyone with a driver's license. He highly recommends it for young, inexperienced drivers.

"We don’t teach them how to drive, but we do teach them to be aware and be a defensive driver and techniques where you don’t get yourself in trouble," Burgoon said.